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The Every 15 Minutes Event at Rhea County High School March 26, 2012. This was a program organized by the Rhea County Anti-Drug Coalition (RCAD) and the Rhea County Sheriff's Department. It was presented to raise awareness of the dangers of drinking and/or texting while driving.

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More than Black and White

Author: Tiffany SoysterDate: June 27, 2013

A few weeks ago, my husband and I were taking a walk. And,
by “taking a walk,” I mean we had just finished jogging and I was gasping for
air while my husband nonchalantly carried on a conversation with our
three-year-old daughter.

As we walked past the jail, my very observant and curious
daughter noticed the steel plates over the windows and asked,” Daddy, what is
that place?”

“It’s the jail, Ansley,” he casually responded. “It’s where bad people go.”

My husband is a police officer. And nearly every day since
she was born, our daughter has watched him as he prepares to leave for work,
asking him about his duty belt, the different things on it, and what “going to
work” means. So, when she asked what
that place was, we knew she would understand his explanation. “It’s where bad people go.”

And I let it go. It’s easy to fall into this black/white
lifestyle, where the hero is the “good guy” and the masked villain is the “bad
guy.” A world where I can tell my daughter “no, that’s a bad guy. We stay
away.” But, my husband was not satisfied, and decided to clarify.

“No, Ansley. That’s not where bad people go. It’s where people who make bad choices go.”
And in that instant, I was convicted and humbled.

People know what I do during the school year. I stay pretty busy, presenting at 10
different schools and various churches.
Often, people ask me if I’m enjoying my “summer break,” assuming that if
school isn’t in session, then I have nothing to do. Except, that isn’t the
truth. I still teach during the summer, but in a different setting.

During the summer, the Edge offers its mentoring program to
local teens in the CAMP program. CAMP,
or Children’s Attitude Motivational Program, is a program offered through the
juvenile court system in conjunction with the Army National Guard. It is an
opportunity for non-violent, juvenile offenders to start over and potentially
have their records expunged.

The eight-week program includes physical training, academic
intervention, community service, and, in my opinion, the best part, us! We get to spend time with the groups,
building their character and talking about making healthy choices. It’s really
a perfect fit.

In the past few years, though I’ve greatly enjoyed working
with CAMP, I’ve often found myself expecting the students to go back to drug
use. I expect them to go back to the same crowd, and start making the same bad
choices. There have been a few that I
thought were really promising, but, I’m embarrassed to say that many of these
students often fell into my good guy/bad guy mindset. Either you are a good
guy, or a bad guy.

So you can see how just a few weeks ago, my world was shaken
by a simple explanation offered to a three-year-old. And that has made all the
difference.

I’ve approached the CAMP programs entirely different this
year. These aren’t bad kids. These are just kids that have made bad
choices. I’ve found myself honestly investing in these kids, cheering them
on. I’ve found myself hurting with them,
and in some cases, crying over them.

In many cases, these are kids that have had to grow up too
fast. Kids that have no relationship
with either or both of their parents, or relationships that are so unhealthy
the drug use was encouraged by the parent. Kids that have been hurt and
abandoned. Abused. But, they are still
just kids.

Kids who light up over a silly game. Kids who still enjoy watching SpongeBob. Yes,
they have made bad choices. In some situations, very bad choices. But they
aren’t bad people. They have goals. They have dreams. They just don’t have someone telling them
that those dreams can be a reality.

In many ways, these have become my favorite students. They are learning first hand that choices have
consequences. And often times, those consequences are life changing. They want
to make healthier decisions. They just need someone to tell them it is
possible. They need someone to take the time and tell them they are valuable as
people. They are not mistakes. They have just made mistakes.

And, here’s probably the biggest reason these CAMPs are my
favorite. Because no matter how much I teach them and encourage them, somehow
and in some way, they always manage to do the same for me.